Issue 08-1-2016

Our engagement to help the Italian consortium that produces genuine Parmigiano Reggiano cheese to identify and stop trademark infringements, and thus strengthen its own brand reputation, set off a series of questions that at first bordered on the philosophical. But ultimately, going down this path shed much insight not only on this world-famous and beloved

Payments companies and online retailers alike have their hands full trying to stay on top of fraudulent transactions. For eight years, we’ve been charting the cost of fraud through an annual study, and in 2016 we have found that, while merchants overall lose 1.47% of their revenue to fraud, remote channels such as mobile commerce

At the coffee shop, on the train, during lunch — today’s consumer shops everywhere. While not every hour spent browsing the virtual racks results in conversion, consumers are constantly reading up on products, moving slowly but surely down the funnel. Research shows that when it comes time to make a purchase, consumers mostly prefer to

WASHINGTON — An agreement to divest 81 stores has cleared the way for the merger of Ahold NV and Delhaize Group. The companies agreed to sell the stores, in seven states, as a condition for approval of the deal by the Federal Trade Commission. The green light from the regulatory agency allows for creation of

MINNEAPOLIS — Ben Cook has been named senior vice president of global logistics, inventory allocation and replenishment at Target Corp. He will lead the optimization of Target’s inbound and outbound supply chain processes, including carrier transportation and last-mile delivery. He’ll also oversee merchandise planning operations and global logistics. He will report to executive vice president

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is asking its suppliers to eliminate eight controversial chemicals from their products in order to increase their safety and promote sustainability. The targeted substances were selected with the assistance of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and were limited in number to facilitate quick progress. The chemicals singled out are: formaldehyde, triclosan,

CINCINNATI — Kroger Co. recently announced management changes at several of its divisions, most notably the pending retirement of Bob Mariano, chief executive officer of Kroger’s Roundy’s division and the creator and namesake of the Mariano’s grocery chain in the Chicago area. Mariano, 66, is set to retire September 1, but he will serve as

SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Former Walmart executive Donald Soderquist passed away July 21 from complications from heart surgery earlier in the week, according to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette, which reported the death citing an email from his daughter, Wendy Soderquist Togami, which said, in part, “We are grieving with all of you at this news,

LONDON — Robots are delivering food in the United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland in a pilot project launched by Starship Technologies in conjunction with Metro Group and other partners. Dozens of six-wheeled robots, traveling at four miles per hour, have been deployed in five cities to run first-test deliveries. A similar program will be announced

Marc Poulin has left his posts as president and chief executive officer of Sobeys Inc. and the Canadian grocery chain’s parent company, Empire Co. His sudden departure, announced by Empire’s board last month, came soon after Empire reported a $2.13 billion net loss for its 2016 financial year. The loss was mainly attributed to Sobeys’

A new generation of faces has quietly assumed leadership positions within the mass retailing community, a generation that has come to dominate the buying and merchandising ranks. In the main, these merchants are largely unknown outside their companies, though they are quickly gaining recognition and respect. With the NACDS Total Store Expo event coming to

A recent report from Accenture highlights a troubling fact about most retailers — they are so hemmed in by existing operating models that they are unable to respond quickly or effectively enough to changes in the marketplace that have a direct bearing on the business, undercutting their competitiveness and growth potential. Companies hindered by that